Environmental Education Director

Educator, Leader, Creator, Relationship-Builder, Collaborator

Ecology Center is hiring an Environmental Education DIrector (EED) responsible for creating, overseeing, and leading thriving place-based education programs for K-12 schools and community groups. The EED will work with community partners and their education team to cultivate a culture of environmental appreciation and action through engaging hands-on workshops and community outreach. The Ecology Center’s mission is to develop innovative solutions for healthy people and a healthy planet. 

A great candidate for this position will be able to effectively represent the organization with partners, funders, and the public. The EED would be able to educate effectively with diverse people coming from different life experiences, perspectives, interests, and needs, including those individuals who may have no initial interest in environmental issues. The EED will need the skills and experience to develop programs that can address politically sensitive, complex, and technical concepts in a way that engages and informs a broad audience. As head of the education team, the EED will need leadership experience  to support everyone on their team to do their best work.

We are seeking a candidate with knowledge of:

• educational best practices and pedagogies,
• deep content knowledge on relevant environmental topics such as zero waste, climate change, environmental health, and broader environmental issues,
• principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and experience applying those principles in school and community settings, and
• Michigan’s school institutions, curriculum standards, classroom conditions, etc.

The Environmental Education Director will report to the Executive Director. This is a full-time position (1.0 FTE) and is a hybrid position with in-person work required at the Ecology Center’s office in Ann Arbor, MI, regional schools, and community locations.

Organization

Founded in 1970, the Ecology Center works to develop innovative solutions for healthy people and a healthy planet. In recent years, the Ecology Center has been at the forefront of protecting communities from PFAS, lead exposure, air, water, & plastic pollution, among other environmental health concerns. In addition to our environmental health work, the Ecology Center is a leading advocacy organization in Michigan’s clean equitable energy revolution. The Ecology Center is the parent organization of Recycle Ann Arbor, founded in 1977, which works to build zero waste communities through convenient and innovative services. The Ecology Center is committed to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within the workplace and with our partners.  The Ecology Center has offices in Ann Arbor and Detroit.

Duties and Responsibilities

The position requires excellent communication abilities and the ability to bring vision to the work. The EED must have the ability to learn new environmental topics in response to changing resources and needs. Candidates should also be comfortable with fundraising, communications, and collaboration, and enjoy work in a fast-paced nonprofit environment. The ideal candidate will excel at working independently, as well as with teams.  

Core Job Duties 

• Lead the organization’s public education programs in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and schools statewide.
• Successfully manage multiple ongoing projects while identifying and pursuing new projects and sources of funding.
• Lead fundraising activities for the education program, including funder prospecting, grant writing, and contract negotiations with government agencies and private foundations.
• Establish and maintain networks of educational partners in the community.
• Train and manage education staff and volunteers to succeed at their jobs and function well as a team.
• Develop and manage delivery of impactful, engaging,  audience-appropriate educational experiences.
• Design and administer assessment tools that demonstrate education impact.
• Create compelling proposals and reports that are supported by data, research, and experience.
• Oversee education program budget.
• Participate in development-led fundraising activities, such as meetings with major-gift donors and fundraising events.
• Actively contribute to the Ecology Center’s operation and culture through leadership role, committee work, and staff activities.

Reports to: Climate Energy & Education Strategic Team Leader; Executive Director

Minimum Qualifications

• 10 years’ professional experience in environmental education or conservation sector,  including formal education and or work experience developing and managing programs, staff, and partnerships
• Excellent communication skills: writing, editing, listening, and presenting
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a capacity to create intergenerational and cross sector partnerships with diverse individuals and organizations.
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience; effective ability to communicate with youth groups, associations with environmental affinity as well as individuals with no initial interest in environmental issues.
• Must have willingness and desire for outreach and champion the organization’s goals with environmental topics.
• Knowledge and passion for environmental causes and demonstrated commitment to social justice and progressive social change.
• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Skill and experience developing and overseeing budgets
• Experience managing staff or volunteers
• Experience designing and administering assessment tools
• Ability to foster a cooperative, team-oriented work environment

Salary and Benefits

Range : $67,980 – $75,480

This is a salary position and wages are commensurate with experience. 

Generous benefits package including health, dental, FSA, 403(b), ongoing training, and growth opportunities. Upbeat, collaborative, and goal-oriented office atmosphere.